SOUTHPORT & BIRKDALE GOLF CLUBS
Southport, Birkdale, Lytham & Formby golf course guide.

Royal Birkdale

A mainstay of the Open Championship roster and as soon as you set foot on this hallowed links you'll understand why.  Royal Birkdale is one of the finest examples of links golf to be found anywhere in the world: it colu even be used to define the word links!  The course stretches out from the art-deco Clubhouse across layer-upon-layer of open duneland knitted in place by tangly marram grass with the odd green streak of Fairway here and there.  A wonderful place and a must if you are in the area - not least for the its rich litany of Champion Golfers that have held the Claret Jug aloft here.

Formby could well be England's ultimate combination course: it has a little of everything and a lot of charm too.  Three bands of terrain make-up the landscape at Formby: heathland around the Clubhouse, pine forest as you near the sea, dunes out by the coast.  This means that as your round progresses the type of golf is continually evolving with heathery lies to start, then trees to avoid and finally dunes and pot-bunkers to negotiate.  An endlessly entertaining delight that will keep you coming back for more.  The Club is a champion of amateur golf, Formby has hosted the Amateur and all the other major amateur events on numerous occasions. Yet despite its elevated status, remains one of the friendliest Clubs in the land.

Formy Ladies sits right in the middle of Formby Golf Club occupying the central section of mainly heathland terrain with the odd incursion into the trees here-and-there.  A shorter test than Formby itself (and not soley for Ladies by the way) it offers a test of accuracy rather than power, that needs to be taken seriously.  Treat yourself to a round while you are in the neighbourhood (and treat yourself to one of the homemade cakes in the dinky little wooden Clubhouse too!).

Another terrific links in the Northwest of England that is proud of protecting its heritage and providing a true links test.  A little too far from the sea for a whiff of salt air but an out-and-out links course in every other respect.  Pot bunkers abound through the sandy hills and Greens are hard and fast so difficult to hold, yet provide a true putting surface - once you get on board!

One of the closest golf courses to the sea in the Southport area, so in addition to the multitudinous links challenges facing you, expect to battle the wind at West Lancs as well!  A pure links layout with barely a tree or whin-bush to be seen all the way around, coupled with large fast Greens: West Lancs will treat you to the full links experience!  Great atmosphere in the Clubhouse and very welcoming to visitors.

Southport's oldest Golf Club; indeed it was originally known as Southport Golf Club until courses closer to the town laid claim to the title.  The land at Hesketh was once coastal so there are plenty of inland dunes to navigate on the tight, twisted holes close to the Clubhouse.  The course stretches out towards the sea over the central section, crossing into a wetlands reserve where the holes are more open and more marsh-like with wildfowl in evidence.  Not a very well known course when compared with the other big names in the Southport and Birkdale stable, but worth every penny of the modest Green-fee.

A secluded haven where visitors are welcome: is the Club's motto and sums up Ormskirk very neatly.  An inland course for a nice change from the seaside - so an opportunity for some tree-hugging!  Ormskirk has a good variety of holes over predominantly level ground with just the odd gully and hillock to add a little spice to your game.  A warm welcome is extended to all visitors and we definitely recommend a pastoral round here during your Southport golfbreak to contrast with the beachside attractions.

A resort style course around the Formby Hall Hotel (and spa) that combines a nice play to stay with a soothing round of parkland golf away from the crowds that gather on the coast.  The course at Formby Hall is of a more modern design i.e. lots of water in play!  There is also a nine-hole course and good practice facilities so handy if you like a quick nine-holes on arrival or to hit a few buckets before dinner.

Other courses to consider:

Royal Liverpool (Hoylake) - Another famous Open venue within reach of Southport.

Royal Lytham & St. Anne's - A little further north to play the third Royal Open venue in the Southport region.

Hillside - Wedged in between Royal Birkdale and Southport & Ainsdale Golf Clubs; a lovely course and much more welcoming to visitors these days.